Friction bolster spring



o 0 2, n0 7. Aw 2 c. P. LEEsE FRICTION BOLSTER SPRING July 12, 1949.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 2, 1943 BY @MQW N j? J WWW@ YFiled Oct. 2, 1945 July v12, 1949'. I c. P. LEE-SE 2,476,200

FRICTION BOLSTER SPRING 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I IDVENTOR. C64@ BY v @Aww/#fw v (r 'ri/2.1, j/r (/J Filed oct. 2, 1943 s sheets-sheet 5 Ju1y12,1949. P LEESE 2,476,200

FRICTION BOLSTER SPRING if l 4 BY @wf @magi Patented July l2, 1949 ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRIcTIoN norsfrse SPRING Charles P.iLeese, Chicago, Ill.,v assignor'fto-Standard Car Truck Company, Chicago, lll., a corporation of New Jersey Ap'plicraition OctoberfZ, 1943, Serial No. l504.681

(C1. V26'i-9) 12 Claims.

This vinvention relates to 'friction spring asseiblles "iiorn'` vsupporting the 'fbol'st'er of a, railway ear truck. A principal'object of the invention is to provide certain new fand useful improvements `inf-riction 'spring"assierriblie'esoi this gen- Yeral class which lfs'irnirrlify Athe construction of the several vparts whereby they may be easily assembled into-'a -u'riitary'structure in which all parts are `inaixitained imposition bythe resilient reaction Vvof one or more elements of the as- .sembly The vpresent invention @inclu-'des the 'provision of upper ari'dlowe ifollowerfplates, a vload sup porting Ylielical sp ng interposed between the rfollower*fp tes, and VLniear'rsfiunctioning'lto apply Afriction `d1rectly against the Vinner surfaces of 'said Vspring *sro "as to *dampen the spring action and there'by 'pve'nt vthe 'development of harmonic orexcessifve"vibrations'during the movement'of the canal-orig the't'rack.

.The .friction applying 'means includes a plu.n r-alty 'of vertically disposed vshoes arranged withn in''tlie lo'adsupporting ispring fand loosely linked. with the upper "and lower follower plates so as to maintain tlieload supporting-spring normallyY under Asufficient compression to :prevent accidental displacement of the various movable parts. The'lirikedconnectiono the shoes with rsaid iol lower plates 'iper-mitslthe plates to move toward each V'other :'buit limits ltheir outward moi/'einer and Iat'tl'ie same-time :permits'the-shoes to move readily 'outwardly Allto eXert-pressure 'against the innersurlfaesvoftm load supporting spring.

The '.meansfor pre'ssing"`the Ss'hoes against the load lsupporting spring, A:in "one embodiment of thief-invention, ineludesa spring interposed between onerf th'e'followervplates'and a 'thrust wedge-i-m'eniber, rtheflatter'of which, upon cornpression fof tliezspring'exer-ts lateral pressure on the shoes at :locations midwayf-hetween their up per rand lower lends'f'ari'd'thereby forces'the shoes against the 'load spring with la :pressure which is v.uniform throughout the full *length of the shoes.

In-.anotherembodiment, the 'shoes' are pressed radially outwardly -byfz-means of `arubloer core interposed :between the upper and-lower follower plates 'an-d* normally .bearing against the shoes only at VYa location .midway-between the upper and lower :edges thereof, Whereby-endwise pressureagainst the said Aresilient `core results in uniformly expanding the'acore againstsaid middle portionof theshoe. y e y .-It is, thereiora'a specific object of the present invention .to V.provide kan `-i11proved friction v2 spring assembly of the type briefly described hereinabove and disclosedniorelin'detail inthe specification which follows.

The invention is illustrated in two specific embodiments in the accompanying .drawings Wherein- Fig. 1 is a `vertical section l'view of a friction spring assembly constructed in accordance I'with this invention.

Fig. 2 isa plan `View of 'the structure vshown in Fig. l.

Fig. '3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction vindicated by the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a `fragmentary viewpartlyin section of the yupper portion of the spring assembly, viewing the said assemblyfrom la location sub*- stantially as indicated by the feathered arrow in. Fig. 2.

Fig. 5'is a View 'in perspectiveof one ofthe friction shoes employed. vin the assembly shown inFig. l.

Fig. -6 is a view in perspective of anotherform of shoe used in said Fig. 1.

Figs. 'i and S are-bottom and 'side-views, respecu tively of a thrust wedge member.

IFigs. 9 and l0 are top and side "views, respectively, of the lower :follow-er vpla-te Ifor "the lembodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1l is a Vertical section tlrrough a modified spring assembly.

Fig. 'l2 is a plan View of the structure show-n in lll With'parts broken away-and shown in section to illustrate theman-ner in which certain parts iit within others -`and show also the manner in ywhich .the locking rplatesengage the shoes Ato maintain the various elements of the assembly intheir operatingv positions.

Fig. 3 3 is fa View-partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section of `the upper follower plateof the assembly shown in Fig. rl1. l

Fig. 14 is a view in perspective -of one -of fthe shoe members; and

Fig. 15 ,is a View in perspective ofthe locking plates for interlocking the vshoe members with the upper followergplate.

Referring first A.to Figs. l :to 10, inclusive, of the drawings:

.it designates the load supporting spring interposed .between upper and lower 'follower -plates i I and i2. The spring Il) is `preferably `made from substantially rectangular stock so as to provide flat, linner surfaces of substantial area against which -theffr-iction elements -of the as- '1 semblyeare adapted `to bear. The lower lfollower plate I2 includes a base portion having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the load spring and provided with a centrally disposed hub portion I3 formed with a series of slots I4. The slots are formed in the follower plate in close relation to the base portion thereof and are adapted to receive laterally projecting lugs I5-I5 formed at the lower ends of friction shoe members IS-I'L respectively. There are preferably four shoe members of arcuate configuration in cross section so that when they are arranged in their operative position, they form a cylindrical structure adapted to bear against the inner faces of the load supporting spring I0. While it is indicated that four shoe members are preferred in the present construction, this is not intended as a limitation since, obviously, any greater or lesser number of shoes may be used if desired.

The shoe members are of identical construction except that the two opposing shoes designated I6 are provided at their upper ends with an inwardly projecting flange I8, whereas the upper edge of the two opposing shoes designated I'I are made plain. Each shoe I S-II is provided at a location between its upper and lower edges with inwardly projecting flanges I9, the upper surfaces 2B of which incline downwardly and inwardly to provide wedge-like faces. A thrust wedge member 2I is formed with four wedge faces 22 corresponding in inclination to the inclined surfaces 20 of the said shoes. The wedge faces 22 of the memberl 2I are adapted to seat on the inclined surfaces 20 of the `several shoe members. It will be observed in this connection that the application of pressure to the upper portion of the wedge member 2| exerts a lateral pressure on the shoe members IG-I'I so as to force them radially outwardly against the inner flat faces of the load supporting spring and that `such frictional pressure against the said Spring will function to resist vertical movement of the spring. The upper face of the thrust wedge 2I is provided with a depression 23 which serves as a seat for an inner helical spring 24 which functions to apply pressure to the upper portion of said thrust wedge whereby, the wedge, as indicated, forces the shoes radially outwardly into frictional engagement with the shoes so as to dampen the action of the load spring. The upper end of the said spring 24 extends into a cylindrical guide 25 depending from the upper follower plate II and engages a horizontally disposed abutment 26 formed integrally with the said cylindrical guide 25. The said cylindrical guide, at opposite sides thereof, is provided with vertical slots 21--27 extending from the lower end of the guide to the bottom surface of the follower plate II. The load supporting spring Il] and the inner spring 24 are normally held compressed by means of a substantially U-shaped retainer member 28, the central portion of which seats on the abutment 26 and the opposite legs 29-29 of which extend through the vertical slots 2'I-2'I of the cylindrical guide 25. The lower ends of the said legs 29-29 are bent laterally to provide lugs 30--33 adapted to project beneath the lateral anges I8-I8 of the friction shoe I6--I6. Preferably the said flanges I8-I8 are formed with cam surfaces 3I-3I for engaging the ends of the lugs 3Il-30 during the applying movement of the said retainer 23 and serve to ex the said legs toward each other until the lugs 33-30 clear the lower edges of the flanges Iii-I8, whereupon the resilience of the legs 29-29 will cause the lugs 30-30 to snap into the locking position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The under surface of the upper follower plate II is formed with a plurality of integral wedge members 32, which serve as spacing elements for centering the upper follower on the spring I0. When the spring I 0 is fully compressed, the wedges 32 will fit within the space defined by the recessed upper corners of the shoes'as indicated at 33.

In assembling the various parts, the shoe members IS-I'I are first engaged with the lower follower plate IZ, the spring I8 is then slipped over the shoe members so as to hold them in place While the thrust wedge 2| and the inner spring 24 are applied in their operative positions. The upper follower plate is then applied and the legs 29-29 of retainer 28 are inserted through the slots 27-21 of the guide portion 25 of said upper plate. Lengthwise pressure is then applied to compress both springs I0 and 24 sufficiently to permit the locking lugs 30-30 of the spring retainer to be engaged beneath the anges I8-I8 of the shoes Iii-I6. It will be observed that the springs I0 and 24 are, therefore, normally held under compression so that all parts of the device are held in their operative positions by the resilient force exerted by the springs I0 and 24.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 11 to 15, inclusive: The load supporting spring is herein designated by the reference numeral 34. It may be and preferably is of the same general construction as the spring I0 of the previously described embodiment. The friction shoes 35 of this modification are preferably semi-circular since only two shoes are employed. However, any greater number of shoes may -be used if so desired. The lower end portion of the shoes are provided with inwardly projecting lugs 36 which are inserted in openings 3'I formed in the central hub portion 38 of the lower follower plate 3S. An upper follower plate 40 is supported on the upper end of the spring 34. A depending ring flange 4I on the under surface of the plate 40 serves to hold its center relative to the spring 34. The plate 40 is also provided with a depending cylindrical portion 42, the bottom of which is closed, as indicated at 43. The said cylindrical portion 42 extends into and is vertically movable within the cylindrical space defined by the shoes 35-35. The opposite sides of the said cylindrical portion 42 are formed with slots 44-44 to receive inwardly projecting anges 45 formed integrally with the upper end portions of the shoes 35. The slots 44 which receive the i flanges 45 and likewise the slots 31 which receive the inwardly projecting lugs 36 are of such sizes as to permit free movement of the shoes. A re silient element 46, preferably a rubber core, is interposed between the central portion 38 of the lower follower and the bottom closure 43 of the upper follower. The core is normally of the configuration indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 11 but is normally held under compression so that it is expanded laterally to exert pressure outwardly against the shoes 35 at a location midway between the upper and lower ends of the shoes. The core is held compressed and consequently the various movable parts are located in their position by means of complementary locking plates 41-41 which are clamped by means of a bolt 49 and nut 50 in a recess 5I formed in the upper surface of the bottom portion 43 of the follower plate 40. In order to insert the locking plates 41-41 in their operating positions, it is necessary to compress the springs I Il so as to move the portion 43 `prising a plurality of friction shoes havi 5 of ythe upper follower downwardly ja substantial distance 1below the linwardly projecting lugs '65 of the shoes. When the spring 34 and'rubber core` is thus compressed, the locking plal-tes `dfi-4l may be inserted to :their 'operative posi'- u tions in the manner indicated by dotted lines in Fig. -1-1. The -bolt '49 Yand nut `5l) securely-fasten the locking plates 4in their operating position so that their ends, engaging the under surfaces of the lugs 45, hold 'the spring 84 l'and the o'ore '46 under suitable :compression to prevent accidental disengagement of the parts. It will be observed that by applying pressure to ei'ther vof the fdll'ower plates 39 or 40 vto'compres's the spring 34 will result in further compression of =th`eresilient core 46 and, therefore, exert a lateral pressure on vthe central por-tion of the shoes 35:35 to ifin crease the Yfrictional pressure 'of the shoes 35 against the inner -faces 'of the coils o'f spring d'4. {I his lateral .-pressure, therefore, 'serves "to dampen the action ofthe Vload spring so 'as to prevent 'the development or `lh-zaln'nonic or 'excessive vibratory movements.

,-It will be observed that regard-lessor the amount of compression applied to the resilient core, the lateral .pressure lis 'exerted against the shoes 35 at locations midway between the ripper and lowerfends thereof. Consequently, `vthe pressure -thu's applied -ls distributed uniformly througho t 'the full .length of the shoes to the inner surfacesfof the several coils of 'the spring '34. When the compression fs `relieved froln the spring 34 'and from `the core '#6, the reflex 'of these rn'en'ibe sures the return of the operating "parte normal positions. When 'the `lspring 13d i lly compressed, 'the -fla'nge IH, formed on Ith'efoll' 'fer plate 4t, will lseat against the 'tapered lionel-pore tion -52 of "the shoes.

I claim:

l. A friction spring as's'erib'l'y 'c'c'lrn-'pf'v ii and lower vfollower "memo-"ers, the latter fof bien is .provided 'with fan upwardly ldished cirulr vcer'lt'e'r or-tioil with spaced apart slots thefeitical walls thereof, 'a load supporting helical spring interposed between `said followers, means for 'damping 'the spring m'ov'em" inner races and Vlravlng inwardly est dln-'g gs spaced 'from the vertlca1-fedgs of 'the sho their lower 'ends and 'e 'ending into fslts l to provide "a loosellnkage with said lower follow er, "means 'providing 'a loose linkage upper ends of saidsnes and 'the upper -fo the said shoes being 'arranged within 'th so as Vtetes-1' 'directly against 'the inner thereof, and means in'cldding a resi-lient member e'ltendiil'g lengthwise of the Aassembly the space defined by said shoes 'and engagedby one of said "followers for exertihgresilientfforce -to press said shoes outwardly against said spring.

-2. A friction spring assembly-comprising upper and lower followers, a-load supporting helical spring interposed between and engaging said followers and means for damping the spring-movements comprising a.plurality of friction shoes inf terl'inked with one of said followers and'arranged within 'the load supporting spring `so as lto bear directly against the inner :perimeter thereof, means including a wedge member `supported on said shoes and a resilient element interposed Abetween s aid wedge member and one `of'said followers and adaptedto -be ycompressed by irl-ward movement of either follower to apply lateral pressure to said shoes and thereby -force the said 'sloefs grad" llly outwardly into frictional engage? "filer-lt @ihrem-Spring- :3. Airitofn Spring 'assembly comprising upper 'and flower followers a VEload supporting helical spring interposed `between and engaging :both followers, Imeans .providing 'a '-loose linkage between #said followers comprising a plurality .of friction shoes interlinked with one :of said `followers fand arranged 'to bear 'against the inner perimeter of said-spring to dampen its'lengthwise movements, means engaging the other follower and the other end of saidshoes for main'- taining :the load lspring partially compressed, and means for urging the -shoes radially outwardly agairs't *the load spring includingmean-s @prov-idk ing 'inwardly projecting inclined surfaces on the shoes, a wedge member engaging ysaid inclined surfaces, and a resilient :member disposed betweenfand-'engaging `said wedgemembe'r and one of jsaid 'followers for exerting resilient ipressure against 'said wedge.

'4. A-rrict'iorr spring vassembly comprising upper and lower followers, a 4load supporting helical spring interposed between 'and engaging bothwfollowers, vineans providing (a loose linkage between said rfollowers `oolm'nrising -a plurality of friction shoes interlinked with Athe lower follower 'and arranged lto 'bear against the inner perimeter of said 'spring to dampenits lengthwise movements, ineans engaging the upper follower and 'slidably engaging vthe other end of said shoes for maintaining rtlie load -springfpartially compressed, but with capacity forlrelative movement ofthe 'upper follower vland said shoes'toward each other upon lfurther compressionof lthe load spring, and means for 'Eurgling the shoes 'radially outwardly against the load lspring including means providing 4inwardly proj ecting finclined surfaces on 'the shoes, a wedge member engaging said inclinedsurfaces, arida resilient member disposed 'between said wedge 4member and said upper `follower for 'exerting :resilient pressure against said wedge.

5. v`Arric'tion spring assemblyc'omprising vupper and 'lowerfollowers 'al Aload supporting helical spring interposed between and engaging Aboth followers, a plurality offricti-on shoes-interlinked with the flower 4follower and arranged to bea-r against the inner perimeter of said spring to dampen vits vlengthwise movements, l-rneansjengaging the 'opper follower and islidablv engaging the other end `of said'shoes `forjrnaintaining the load spr-ing `lnormal-ly :partially compressed, but with capacity for relative movement of `tlfie lupper ffollower 'and said shoes toward each yother upon ful'- tlier compression-of the load spring, and 'means for @urging the shoes 'radially outwardly against the load `spring including `means providing inwardly'projecting incl-ined "surfaces on the shoes disposed vsubstantially midway between 'the ends thereof, avwedge Lmember engaging the said inclined surfaces, and rneans Vfor Vapplying pressure on said wedge lengthwise of the assembly to force said shoes in'to frictional engagement with the Snr-ing.

5 ing the fload spring normally partiallycompres'sed but with capacity for relative movement ofthe upper follower and said shoes toward each other upon further compression of the load spring, and means for urging the shoes radially outwardly against the load spring including means providing inwardly projecting inclined surfaces on the shoes disposed substantially midway between the ends thereof, a wedge member engaging said inclined surfaces, and a resilient member disposed between and engaging said wedge member and the upper follower for exerting resilient pressure against said wedge.

7. A friction spring assembly comprising upper and lower followers, a load supporting helical spring interposed between and engaging both followers, a plurality of friction shoes interlinked with the lower follower and arranged to bear against the inner perimeter of said spring to dampen its lengthwise movements, means comprising a member having an intermediate portion enga-ging the upper follower and resilient end portions adapted to move by their resilience into locking engagement with oppositely disposed shoes for holding the load spring normally partially compressed, and means for urging the shoes radially outwardly against the load spring including means providing inwardly projecting inclined surfaces on the shoes, a wedge member engaging said inclined surfaces, and a resilient member disposed between and engaging said wedge member and the upper follower for exerting resilient pressure against said wedge.

8. A friction spring assembly comprising a helical load supporting spring made from stock of rectangular cross-section so as to provide the inner faces of the coils with relatively wide friction surfaces, a lower follower formed with a hub portion, a plurality of friction shoes having loose interlocking engagement with said lower follower and positioned between said hub portion and the inner perimeter of the spring so as to maintain the parts centered in respect to the spring and adapted to frictionally engage throughout their length the said inner perimeter of the spring, an upper follower positioned on the other end of the load supporting spring and having a centrally disposed cylindrical portion extending into the space defined by said shoes and having vertical slots in the opposite sides thereof, there being inwardly projecting flanges on the upper ends of the shoes arranged adjacent said slots, a U- shaped retainer engaging said upper follower and having flexible resilient leg portions'which extend through said slots and engage beneath the inwardly projecting flanges of said shoes for holding the load spring normally partially compressed but with capacity for relative movement of said upper follower and said shoes toward each other upon further compression of the load spring and means positioned within the space dened by said shoes for applying pressure to the middle portion thereof to force them outwardly into increasing frictional engagement with the said load spring.

9. A friction spring assembly comprising a helical load supporting spring, a lower follower formed with a hub portion, a plurality of friction shoes having loose interlocking engagement with said lower follower and positioned between said hub portion and the inner perimeter of the load spring to maintain the parts centered in respect to the spring and adapted to frictionally engage throughout their length the inner perimeter of said spring, an upper follower positioned on the other end of the load spring and having a centrally disposed cylindrical portion closed at its lower end' and extending into the space defined by said shoes, and having also vertical slots in the opposite sides of the cylindrical portion, there being inwardly projecting iianges on the upper ends of said shoes adapted to project into said vertical slots, locking means interposed between a portion of said upper follower and the inwardly projecting flanges at the upper end of said shoes to limit the outward movement of the followers, whereby said load spring may be normally maintained partially compressed, and means comu pressible in a direction lengthwise of the assembly for exerting lateral pressure against said shoes to force them into increasing frictional engagement with said spring.

10. A friction spring assembly comprising a helical load supporting spring, a lower follower formed with a hub portion, a plurality of friction shoes having loose interlocking engagement with said lower follower and positioned between said hub portion and the inner perimeter of the load spring to maintain the parts centered in respect to the spring and adapted to frictionally engage throughout their length the inner perimeter of said spring, an upper follower positioned on the other end of the load spring and having a centrally disposed cylindrical portion closed at its lower end and extending into the space defined by said shoes, and having also vertical slots in the opposite sides of the cylindrical portion, there being inwardly projecting flanges on the upper ends of said shoes adapted to project into said vertical slots, locking means interposed between a portion of said upper follower and the inwardly projecting flanges at the upper end of said shoes for limiting the outward movement of said followers, whereby said load spring may be normally maintained partially compressed, and a resilient core arranged within the space defined by said shoes and engaging both the upper and the lower follower and the middle portion only of said shoes, whereby further compression of the load spring expands the resilient core to exert lateral pressure against the inner portion of the shoes and thereby forces them into increasing frictional engagement against said spring.

11. A friction spring assembly comprising a helical load supporting spring, a lower follower formed with a hub portion, a plurality of friction shoes having loose interlocking engagement with said lower follower and positioned between said hub portion and the inner perimeter of the load spring to maintain the parts centered in respect to the spring and adapted to frictionally engage throughout their length the inner perimeter of said spring, an upper follow positioned on the other end of the load spring and having a centrally disposed cylindrical portion closed at its lower end and extending into the space defined by said shoes, and having also vertical slots in the opposite sides of the cylindrical portion, there being inwardly projecting flanges on the upper ends of said shoes adapted to project into said vertical slots, complementary locking plates arranged end to end and secured to the upper follower with their ends engaging under the inwardly projecting anges at the upper end of said shoes to limit outward movement of said followers, whereby said load spring may be normally maintained partially compressed, and means compressible in a direction lengthwise of the assembly for exerting lateral pressure against said shoes to force them into increasing frictional engagement with said spring.

12. A friction spring assembly comprising a helical load supporting spring, a lower follower provided with a hub portion formed with slots therein, an upper follower formed with a depending centrally disposed cylindrical portion closed at its bottom and formed at opposite sides with vertical slots, a pair of Senn-circular friction shoes formed with lugs at their lower ends adapted to engage in the slots of the lower follower and having inwardly projecting flanges at their upper ends adapted to extend movably into the slots of the said center cylindrical portion of the upper follower, and complementary locking plates clamped to the bottom of said center cylindrical portion and projecting beneath the upper flanges of said shoes to lock the said shoes and the upper follower together With capacity for lengthwise movement of the followers relative to the shoes, and a compressible core maintained under partial compression between the upper and lower followers and having a middle portion for engagement with the shoes at a location substantially equi-distant from the upper and lower ends thereof, whereby further compression of the core exerts lateral pressure against the middle portion of the shoes to press them against the inner perimeter of the spring.

CHARLES P. LEESE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,894,716 Sproul Jan. 17, 1933 1,930,695 Sproul Oct. 17, 1933 1,935,796 Haseltine Nov. 21, 1933 1,961,406 Tucker June 5, 1934 2,097,523 Hedgcock et al Nov. 2, 1937 2,123,702 Lerch July 12, 1938 2,205,098 Lamont June 18, 1940 2,216,473 Hobson Oct. 1, 1940 2,256,485 Krauser Sept. 23, 1941 2,271,486 Light Jan. 27, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,120 Great Britain, 1913 Feb. 18, 1914 

